Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 18:44:06 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Bill Hubick Subject: Fort McHenry & North Point Birds In-Reply-To: <5.2.0.9.2.20031104130754.00bb6228@pop3.frontiernet.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Hello All, Today at Fort McHenry, I noted no less than 54 newly-arrived BUFFLEHEADS. There were also plenty of SONG SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS. Double-crested cormorants, 80+ Canada geese, and a belted kingfisher were also present. I actually started the day at North Point State Park, looking for newly arrived ducks and tundra swans. I was surprised to learn that all public shoreline access is off-limits while park workers and volunteers repair major damage from Hurricane Isabel. There was an amazing amount of erosion damage, and considerable debris on the point and beach. Furthermore, the stone "cormorant" pier has collapsed in the middle, and there are a number of downed trees blocking trails. Viewing access to the Bay can be gained from several points along trails, but it looks like it might be a few more weeks before North Point is restored. I would recommend against choosing it as a waterfowl spot for a while. It was still a great clear and chilly day, though, with great numbers of winter birds such as SONG SPARROWS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS (Marsh Trail), many DARK-EYED JUNCOS, a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and great views of a NORTHERN HARRIER hunting just above the marshy vegetation at Colbert's Pond. Have a great rest of the weekend :) Bill Hubick Linthicum, Maryland bill_hubick@yahoo.com www.billhubick.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================